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04 Mar 2015 7:27:11am

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You may be right about the Starks, but as for my viewing (and only viewing, I haven't read the books), I tend to see it as the realistic twist that good guys don't win. That is, there is no guarantee that someone like Ned Stark, who is the only one who consistently was just, will see the end. In fact, it kills him. Joffrey didn't want to play by the rules.

The other attack at popular moral fiction is that "true love" does not persevere. The outrage is that Robb, and his wife, found love outside of the politics of marriage. That oath-breaking is forgivable in light of this on a scale of obligations. We don't become angry with friends when they don't show because of a family crisis. We (that is modern America) want, and expect love to triumph, and we smirk when we see Frey make his crude compliment about Robb's choice. Even he has to submit to it, but doesn't.

This is a detonation of American expectations, and while it does not attack the Christian hope of resurrection, it kills off all competitors. Tyrion and Jon Snow have not learned this lesson. Both being bastards ("all dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes"), they have always been outside the system, and this gives them wisdom, but they are trying to save some semblance of order in Westeros.

It's commendable, but I think the only one who sees most clearly is The Hound. The morality of Westeros is bankrupt because it is not real. Knights are glorified killers, and he never becomes one because he doesn't want to play their charade.

As for Daenarys, I have an expectation that her dreams of liberation will be cheapened or collapse. The whole third season has been a dream. She had mercenaries switch sides because of one lieutenant's romantic notions. I think he will cause havoc in the end. I think her liberation will fall apart because some, as one had said in the last episode, love their chains.

While The Hound has clearest sight, Ser Selmy and Ser Mormont are ones who have a hope that there is such a thing as a good king. It's a hope that won't find fulfillment in Westeros, but one that is revealed from on high.